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Medical questions & health advice by board certified doctors

"How can I get rid of anal odor?"

Question

Wash and smell does not leave.

Answer

That is an excellent question. It is important that you are evaluated by a primary care physician because it is difficult to ascertain the exact cause of this anal odor based upon the description you have provided. Here are some things to consider before you go to see your doctor, because he or she will be interested to know these issues to best be able to come up with a diagnosis. Is this smell noted all the time, or only during certain parts of the day or after defecation? Is it related to anything that you eat? Have you noted any pain with defecation, any discharge from your anus, or any bleeding after or during defecation? Sometimes, patients may have anal fissures that can trap fecal material and cause odors to occur, this is caused by a small tear in the lining of the anus or anal canal. Also, this may be due to poor personal hygiene and so perhaps your doctor can suggest ways to improve hygiene or change the soap that you are using. Because of the various possibilities, it is important that you meet with your primary care doctor to better understand what is causing these issues and see what types of treatments are available.

Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc’s Terms of Service.

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Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. Medical professionals who provide responses to health-related questions are intended third party beneficiaries with certain rights under Zocdoc’s Terms of Service.